BattleMechs Through the Years #33: The BWP-2B Ymir In 2462, the Lyran Commonwealth built their very first BattleMech - the BWP-X1 "Bipedal Weapons Platform" Ymir. It used technology that by 2475 was already becoming outdated. It served as an experimental prototype model for the Commonwealth but after just thirteen years, they were able to produce a BattleMech on par with technology the Terran Hegemony had perfected. This was the BWP-2B model. Built in fairly small numbers, the BWP-2B Ymir weighed 90 tons and had a top speed of 64.8 kph. While 'Mechs like the Archer and Hammerhands had been outfitted for massive damage output, House Steiner took a more measured approach to the BWP-2B, giving it a varied weapon load that let it fight effectively at any range. From afar, the BWP-2B could strike with a pair of LRM-5 launchers and a Class-5 autocannon. A little closer, a large laser came in handy and while in short range four SRM-2 launchers and a small laser could be called upon. Alpha strikes could be difficult however, as even though this model of the Ymir carried an additional six heat sinks, it was not enough to dispel the buildup extended combat could cause. During the Age of War, the Draconis Combine and Free Worlds League would import this early model of the Ymir but by the Star League era, only the Lyran Commonwealth was still using it. By the early Succession Wars, production had ceased entirely and the design was lost to time. Stats Mass: 90 Tons Power Plant: 360 Fusion Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph (4) Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph (6) Jump Jets: 0 (0) Armament: 1x AC/5, 1x Large Laser, 2x LRM-5, 4x SRM-2, 1x Small Laser Introduction: 2475 Cost: 8,774,105 C-Bills Technology Base: Introductory Inner Sphere Battle Value: 1,289 Internal Structure: Standard Heat Sinks: 16 Single Armor: 10.5 Tons Standard If you'd like to learn more about the BWP-2B Ymir, check out Technical Readout: Succession Wars.